On Fri, 13 Jul 2001 18:47:43 -0400, pro@nospampro.com wrote:

>Neuman - Ruether wrote:

>> These camcorders are primarily auto-control devices
>> (and the auto functions are excellent; the manual ones
>> are "klunky") - I find more useful using AE-A or AE-S
[...]

>This is wrong. At least from a pro perspective. The exposure drift
>that comes
>with any Auto or AE setting is unacceptable. As other posters have
>indicated,
>manual exposure is the correct way to use these cameras. AE modes might
>be fine
>for an amateur, which the above poster probably is, but pros will always
>choose
>the stability of manual exposure.

Then you have never used these cameras...
The AE (biased to taste) is excellent with the VX-2000
and PD-150, with no "drift", and it shifts smoothly with
changing light levels; the manual controls permit only
large-increment shifts, giving a "jerky" look to the
image brightness when used. Pro gear has continuously-
adjustable (as in, no increments...) aperture control,
permitting smooth exposure shifts; the VX-2000 and
PD-150 do not.